Parents and teachers press board to save Guadalupe Elementary’s computer lab and provide classroom space

Dozens of parents, students and teachers from Guadalupe Elementary urged the Board of Education to preserve the school’s computer lab and to address over-enrollment that staff say has forced the school to consider repurposing the lab for classroom space.

Alvin Rivera, president of the Student Advisory Council, invited board members to a youth summit and highlighted student engagement. Several Guadalupe parents and teachers — including Terry Faktorra (parent), Maria Frias (parent), fourth-grade student Stephanie Frias, and teachers Katie O’Brien and Will Federico — described classroom crowding, loss of specialist spaces and the effect on special-education and related services. "We are asking for a bungalow to accommodate our extra students," said Terry Faktorra, who submitted a petition with more than 200 signatures.

Teachers and parents said the computer lab supports critical skills: a teacher said students use the lab for reports and research and asked the board not to "close doors on our kids." A bilingual teacher with 22 years at Guadalupe described remedial and counseling work being conducted in inadequate spaces and urged retaining the computer lab even if temporary reassignments are needed.

Vice President Yee asked staff to report on classroom utilization and the feasibility of installing a bungalow; Superintendent Chan said staff would not have a problem investigating and noted the item is agendized for the Buildings & Grounds committee meeting scheduled for May 29. Board members emphasized they want to review other similarly impacted schools and directed staff to bring options back.

Next steps: Facilities staff will prepare an options report on adding temporary classroom space (bungalow) and on district-wide classroom utilization for presentation to the Buildings & Grounds committee.